Smosh Mouth Episode #93 - Reading Brutal Movie Reviews
Release Date: May 12, 2025
Hosts: Shayne Topp (Shane), Amanda Lehan-Canto (Amanda), and Spencer
1. Introduction and Episode Setup (00:30 - 12:53)
The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their characteristic banter, discussing milestone episodes and introducing their rotating guest, Spencer. They playfully lament not reaching 100 episodes yet and joke about being the "most fearless podcast" out there. This segment sets a lighthearted and humorous tone for the episode.
2. Diving into Movie Discussions (12:53 - 75:54)
a. Exploring Letterboxd Reviews (12:53 - 21:01)
Shane introduces the central theme of the episode: exploring brutal movie reviews from Letterboxd. Amanda shares her excitement about discovering Letterboxd, a social media platform dedicated to movie reviews and discussions. They discuss the functionality of the app, including following friends, viewing popular movies, and engaging in conversations based on mutual interests.
Notable Quotes:
- Shane (13:11): "Letterboxd is an app. It's like a social media app, but it's all about movies and reviewing movies."
- Amanda (14:25): "There's a movie trending right now that all the girlies are watching. There's a movie that got re-released in theaters. Pride and Prejudice."
b. In-Depth Movie Reviews and Reactions (21:01 - 75:54)
The hosts delve into specific movies, sharing their personal favorites and reacting to Letterboxd reviews. They cover a variety of films, ranging from classic dramas to modern comedies, and critically analyze both the movies and the reviews they found amusing or harsh.
Key Discussions:
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Pride and Prejudice (14:25 - 17:03):
- Amanda passionately defends the film, highlighting its status as a classic and praising specific scenes like the improvised hand gesture between Mr. Darcy and Keira Knightley's character.
- Amanda (15:14): "Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite movies of all time."
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Congo and Gorilla Movies (02:13 - 10:49):
- The conversation begins with a humorous debate about "100 men versus one silverback gorilla," referencing the movie Congo and other gorilla-centric films like King Kong and Mighty Joe Young.
- Shane (04:10): "There's a very serious debate happening right now... who would win in a fight? 100 men versus one silverback gorilla."
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Atonement and Forrest Gump Critiques (18:20 - 40:21):
- Amanda criticizes Atonement for its emotional manipulation despite its aesthetic appeal.
- Shane discusses Forrest Gump, acknowledging both its emotional depth and the critiques regarding its underlying messages.
- Shane (40:14): "Tom Hanks got to have one of the top five foreheads in Hollywood. Five stars."
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90s Comedies and Modern Parodies (25:00 - 42:07):
- They reminisce about comedies like Dumb and Dumber, Scary Movie, and modern parodies such as Epic Movie and Movie 43. The hosts express mixed feelings, appreciating the humor while recognizing their frequently low ratings on Letterboxd.
- Amanda (26:13): "movie 43 is a series of short... it's so bad."
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Trilogy Comparisons (37:11 - 76:22):
- A heated debate ensues about the best movie trilogies, with Lord of the Rings often being hailed as the pinnacle. They also discuss the original and prequel Star Wars trilogies, the MCU's various trilogies, and other franchises like Mission Impossible and Indiana Jones.
- Shane (47:30): "The greatest movie trilogy ever made? It's obvious. There's one answer. Yeah, it's Lord of the Rings."
- Amanda (49:19): "Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy. It's just Christopher Nolan, who directed the three. I think those are so good."
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Modern Movie Adaptations and Critiques (64:08 - 75:54):
- Discussion shifts to contemporary films and adaptations, including the live-action Minecraft movie and the reception of Untill Dawn.
- Shane (69:29): "You think Atonement is bad movie... I feel like... they've got something about it."
Notable Quotes:
- Shane (05:07): "I think that the gorilla would get tired out. I do think you just have to dogpile him on top."
- Amanda (22:07): "They just went. Can you lift up the partition, please?"
- Spencer (67:39): "You're never gonna make everyone."
3. Listener Engagement and Community Interaction (75:54 - 76:22)
In the concluding segment, the hosts invite listeners to share their favorite movie trilogies and engage with the ongoing discussions about beloved and controversial franchises. They emphasize the importance of audience participation and humorously prompt listeners to weigh in on the debated topics covered during the episode.
Notable Quotes:
- Shane (76:11): "Which is better, Ghostmates or Smash the Movie? Also, is there a trilogy better than Lord of the Rings? The answer is no. But you can try."
- Amanda (76:12): "You can try. You will try."
4. Conclusion
Episode #93 of Smosh Mouth offers a lively and engaging exploration of movie reviews from Letterboxd, blending personal anecdotes with humor and critical analysis. The hosts navigate through a diverse range of films, providing listeners with both laughs and thoughtful insights. By encouraging community interaction, the episode fosters a space for fans to share their opinions and continue the conversation beyond the podcast.
Overall Highlights:
- Humorous Debates: From battling gorillas to discussing the merits of trilogies.
- Personal Insights: Hosts share their favorite movies and candid reactions to reviews.
- Community Focus: Encouraging listeners to participate and share their viewpoints.
Engagement Prompt:
- Shane: "Let us know your favorite trilogy."
- Amanda: "Let us know which is better, Ghostmates or Smash the Movie."
End of Summary
